To determine the amount of copper deposited on the cathode of a copper voltameter when a charge of 2 coulombs flows through it, we can use Faraday's laws of electrolysis. The first law states that the mass of a substance deposited or liberated at an electrode during electrolysis is directly proportional to the quantity of electricity that passes through the electrolyte. In this case, we can use the electrochemical equivalent (ECE) of copper to find the mass deposited.
Understanding Electrochemical Equivalent
The electrochemical equivalent (ECE) of a substance is defined as the mass of that substance deposited or liberated by one coulomb of electric charge. For copper, the ECE is given as 3.295 x 10-7 kg/C. This means that for every coulomb of charge that passes through the voltameter, 3.295 x 10-7 kilograms of copper will be deposited.
Calculating the Mass of Copper Deposited
To find the total mass of copper deposited when a charge of 2 coulombs flows through the voltameter, we can use the formula:
- Mass (m) = ECE × Charge (Q)
Substituting the values we have:
- ECE of Cu = 3.295 x 10-7 kg/C
- Charge (Q) = 2 C
Now, we can perform the calculation:
- m = (3.295 x 10-7 kg/C) × (2 C)
- m = 6.59 x 10-7 kg
Final Result
The amount of copper deposited on the cathode when a charge of 2 coulombs flows through the copper voltameter is 6.59 x 10-7 kg, or 659 micrograms (µg).
This calculation illustrates how electrolysis works in practical applications, such as electroplating and metal refining, where precise control over the amount of metal deposited is crucial. Understanding these principles not only helps in theoretical scenarios but also in real-world applications in chemistry and engineering.